Destroyer

Destroyer is Dan Bejar from Vancouver, British Columbia.Kaputt is his latest vision: an opulent, lyrical, game-changing masterpiece to rank with the choicest works of Sade, Scritti Politti, Simply Red and Steely Dan. For a more contemporary touchstone, feel free to consider it the sad-eyed psychic cousin of GAYNGS' smooth opus Relayted. These elaborate songs were lovingly crafted by a large studio ensemble of dedicated players; they are given fresh life on the road by an eight-piece touring band which will visit European shores for the first time this year.Kaputt was released by the good people of Merge in North America, entering the Billboard chart at number 62 and receiving exultant hosannas from such august publications as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Spin and The Washington Post.Pitchfork awarded it their Best New Music accolade, noting that "Kaputt feels wise. Like a mirror that actually points back at something better. Something you can jam and let wash over you, but also something you can use. It feels funny, tragic, artful, and ultimately true." The record scored an A- grade when reviewed by The Onion's A.V. Club, who declared: "Kaputt rolls luxuriously in its own plush soft-rock grandeur, powerfully alluring and deeply sad at the same time."Dead Oceans are honoured to be Destroyer's new home for the UK and Europe.Welcome to Avalon, people. This is a paradigm shift.Kaputt by Malaparte, which Bejar has never read... Kara Walker, specifically the lyrics she contributed to the song "Suicide Demo For Kara Walker"... Chinatown, the neighborhood bordering on Bejar's... Baby blue eyes... 80s Miles Davis... 90s Gil Evans... Last Tango In Paris... Nic Bragg, who played lead guitar on every song, again... Fretless bass... The hopelessness of the future of music... The pointlessness of writing songs for today... V-Drums... The superiority of poetry and plays... And what's to become of film?... The Cocaine Addict... American Communism... Downtown, the neighborhood bordering on Bejar's... The LinnDrum... Avalon and, more specifically, Boys And Girls... The devastated mind of JC/DC, who recorded, produced and mixed this record from fall of 2008 to spring of 2010... The back-up vocals of certain Roy Ayers and Long John Baldry tours... Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence...These are some of the themes alluded to or avoided in the album Kaputt...

Just when I thought KEXP couldn’t get more awesome, they’ve announced their latest live compilation, Live at KEXP, Volume Seven! The Tallest Man On Earth makes an appearance with his song “A Field of Birds.” Check out the video above for a little taste.

Although we release Destroyer’s music outside of North America, we’re pleased to see them included, as well as Sharon Van Etten, who is signed with our sister-label Jagjaguwar. Congratulations to everybody and a big thank you to KEXP for all the love.

Check out the newest Destroyer video for stand out Kaputt track, “Savage Night at the Opera.” Directed by David Galloway, and shot using just one camera, in a single take, this minimalist approach is a simple, striking trek through the streets of Vancouver. This video could not be more different than Destroyer’s stunning video released earlier this year for “Kaputt.” If you need a refresher, watch that clip here.

This week we’re not just celebrating our first German cover story, but also the European release of Destroyer’s Kaputt! That’s Destroyer’s Dan Bejar gracing the current issue of German music mag Intro — one of many publications across the pond that’s raving about the album. We’ve also seen stellar reviews from NME and BBC, and these great interviews with the Quietus, The Stool Pigeon and Rockfeedback.

Dead Oceans’ European release of Kaputt is just in time for Destroyer’s European tour, which begins next week in Madrid. See the full list of dates after the jump.

Dead Oceans are thrilled to announce that we’re handling the UK, European and Japanese release of Destroyer’s visionary new record Kaputt, which has already proven to be a critical smash in North America.

UK physical release is June 13 (it’s out now digitally), coinciding with Destroyer’s first EU headline tour. Confirmed dates below: tickets for London Heaven on June 28 will go onsale this Friday at 9am courtesy of promoters Bird On The Wire.

Read more about Destroyer and see the upcoming EU tour dates after the jump.